February 6, 2012

The Brü Revü – Widmer Brothers Pitch Black IPA

I don't have a lot of experience with Widmer Brothers, but their Pitch Black IPA was a good introduction.  I have had a few Black IPAs and this one seemed true to the style.  Looks like a porter but tastes like an IPA.  The aroma was not a full on hop assault, but rather a light hop aroma with a hint of sweet malt.  The taste was more on the sweet malt side with hints of chocolate and bitter roast.   It could have used a stronger hop presence for an IPA, but it was still a tasty beer.  It had a nice creamy body and was lighter than I expected.  All in all this was a very good beer although I would prefer my Black IPAs with more hops; I still thoroughly enjoyed this Pitch Black IPA.




February 2, 2012

The Brü Revü – De Struise Pannepeut – Old Monk’s Ale

The preface: My dad was lucky enough on a trip to Belgium to visit the De Struise brewery and get a “private” tour from the brewer himself as well as a few samples of their great beers.  He brought me back a few of their beers and of course a “proper” glass. 
The Pannepeut – Old Monk’s Ale gets confused with the more widely known Pannepot – Old Fisherman’s Ale but I was assured they are not the same.  This is a huge Belgian Strong Ale with great depth and complexity.  It had a malty sweet almost brown sugary taste with notes of rich caramel and dark candied fruits.  It had a medium bodied mouthfeel and hid its high alcohol content really well.  It was a great gift from my dad as De Struise makes World Class beers and this is no exception.  I may never have this one again and it’s a shame.  If only you could get their beer in Texas!  




The Brü Revü – Southern Star Bombshell Blonde Ale

The Southern Star Bombshell Blonde Ale came from a Bums meeting that featured craft beers in a can, and was one I remember enjoying at the tasting. Blonde Ales are not usually something I drink but I found that I really enjoyed this one.  It poured a golden amber with a big frothy white head and plenty of fruity malt in the aroma.  For a lighter beer it had a nice full creamy mouthfeel with hints of fruit and apricot that I found appealing. This is not a complex in your face beer, but something that is light and refreshing with enough body to keep it interesting.  A great beer for our hot Texas summer days.




February 1, 2012

Pint Glass Nights - February

Misc. pint glass nights around Austin for February.  Buy the beer, keep the glass.

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM
Feb. 06       Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
Feb. 13       Young’s Double Chocolate Stout w/ Lindeman’s Framboise
Feb. 20       Ommegang Abbey
Feb. 27       Duvel

Draft Pick – Tuesdays, at 6:30 PM
Check their calendar for glass updates

The Tavern – Tuesdays
Check their facebook page for glass updates

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM
Feb. 01       Boulevard Brewing
Feb. 08       Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
Feb. 15       Avery Brewing
Feb. 22       Widmer Brothers (with brewers dinner at 7:30)
Feb. 29       Lagunitas Doppel Weizen

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM
Feb. 01       Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
Feb. 08       Flying Saucer Valentine’s Day Glass
Feb. 15       Tripel Karmeliet (one of the coolest glasses and a great beer too)
Feb. 22       Crispin
Feb. 29       Hofbrau

Draught House – Wednesdays
Check their twitter page for glass updates

The Brü Revü – Samuel Adams Imperial Series Wee Heavy

This was my first experience with the Samuel Adams Imperial Series, and although I have had the Sam Adams Scotch Ale in the past I knew the Wee Heavy was going to be bigger and better.  It poured a dark burnt amber, almost opaque with a thin tan head.  It had a sweet malty aroma with a hint of burnt chocolate.  The flavor was very bold and intense like a barley wine with a sharper smoky burnt malt flavor with the sweet malt hiding underneath.  This was a big complex beer that deserves the Imperial moniker and I will definitely be looking for the rest of the Samuel Adams Imperial Series Beers.